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Overview

From the award-winning author of Coming Apart at the Seams...

Bebe Banerjee's genius IQ didn't stop her from doing something stupid: agreeing to a sham engagement in exchange for a free ride to Harvard Law. And now, her fake fiancé is trying to blackmail her into a real marriage. While she can't choose her future husband, she can choose her first lover. But she never imagined that man would be Cal O'Brien, the handsome heir to the Riley O'Brien & Co. denim empire...

Although Cal has always been fascinated by Bebe's brilliant mind and beautiful eyes, he's never pursued her. She can't stand the sight of him, and every time they're in the same room, they end up trading insults. Yet when he finds out about Bebe's bold plan, he makes his move, unaware of her upcoming nuptials. He promises to make her firsts unforgettable, but he doesn't know how hard it will be to forget her when their arrangement ends.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

Read the first 3 books in this series. All good reads and hard to put down.

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Loved Cal & Bebe. Great series.

ehaney578

More than 1 year ago

This review was written by Marie for a guest review post on Ever After Book Reviews blog:
5 Stars
Swoon. Cal O’Brien, please marry me. No, I’m serious. Please do.
Now that that’s out of the way, allow me to tell you that of these books, this is by far the best one. Bebe and Cal begin the book as… enemies, we’ll say. Of course there’s the age old adage that boys are mean to you because they like you… and in this case, it’s 100% true!
The tension between Bebe and Cal is intense. It’s incredibly sexy, and there’s just something erotic about a powder keg building and building until it explodes. And explode, it certainly does! This book has everything – humor, romance, charm, and, of course, a sexy as hell hero who is so easy to fall in love with. Swoon again.
I would highly recommend these books on a normal day. But after reading this one, I demand that you pick them up. You won’t be sorry!
***I read and reviewed a paperback copy of the book gifted to the blog in exchange for an honest review. All conclusions reached are my own***

BooksAndSpoons

More than 1 year ago

Family can be your biggest source of support and love, or the place where insults are common, and verbal abuse galore.
Bebe's life choices have rarely been hers. Her powerful family has dictated most of her life decisions, or influenced the rest. Her life has been a void of the 'normal', and most of the 'first' young people have, had been missing in her life. The pain, hurt, and harm her family had delivered to her over the years was countless, and how she had survived it, and triumphed in her life, was nothing but admirable. Some of the behavior had roots in the cultural differences, most of it has been just malice. My heart ached for her, as her mother walked all over her. Most daughter/mother relationships can be difficult, but Bebe's was pure agony.
Cal's family is quite the opposite, always there to support each other, love each other, and to have each other's back, no matter what. I have loved getting to know them through the series, and grown very fond of them. It was lovely to see glimpses of their lives and relationships.
Cal and Bebe have amazing chemistry between them. The sizzle in the air, when they meet, is palpable. I loved that Cal was set to not have secrets from his family, to keep their relationship open to them. As the arrangement between them was mainly physical at first, it is understandable, that the story had several sex scenes, scenes that were red-hot in nature, yet beautiful and loving. They showed the development of their relationship, their feelings, while in the arrangement, growing and deepening, and fit into the plot, not only giving it spice and heat, but deeper understanding of their love and affection towards each other.
I completely got lost in the story, the families, the drama, the passion, and love. There's moments in the story that had me holding my breath in anticipation, moments that broke my heart as I was in tears, and moments that I laughed out loud. I adore the O'Brien family, the closeness they have between them. And Bebe, my heart went out to her, the mud her family, her mother, was shoveling at her, was heartbreaking, yet oddly familiar, and made her even easier to relate to. And a personal note, thank you for the epilogue, Ms Sutton, my heart was overjoyed.
This is a tale that I fell in love with, the characters were likable, easy to relate to, the passion and love between Bebe and Cal was blistering, yet they also liked and respected each other, enjoyed each other's company. There's no insta anything in the story, the time that is needed, was taken, the tale covering several months, and years. I swooned, I blushed, I shed tears, and laugh, and enjoyed the San Francisco scenery
~ Five Spoons

LynnB888

More than 1 year ago

I have loved all of the Riley O’Brien & Company books that I have read, but this one was the best yet! There’s just something about these two that ingrain themselves into your heart from the moment you see their interaction on the first page, even if you haven’t read any of the previous books with them playing small parts in them. What a great family behind this series!
We met Bebe Banerjee in Teagan’s story as her quirky best friend. She’s a super smart, fun loving friend … who happens to be withering away because she’s still a virgin at 30! She’s determined to have her fun and live it up while she’s trying to get rid of the arranged marriage plans her family made for her years ago. Imagine her surprise when the man she’s been crushing on for years steps in and offers to be her first!
Cal O’Brien is Teagan’s brother and the man Bebe has been sparring with for years! They act like they hate each other, but little does anyone know, it’s all a cover. She is trying to not let him see how much she likes him, and he’s feeding off of her attitude and returning the animosity! She’s wanted him for years, and now he’s offering himself up on a silver platter!
When they let their guard down and start spending time together, they have a blast and really enjoy each other. As they fall deeper and don’t want their time to end, will news of her secret engagement ruin everything?

Lost-N-Love-N-Hopeless

More than 1 year ago

Completely charming. Fantastically funny. Sweet. Smart. Sexy. Swoon worthy moments. Cal and Bebe are truly a passion that will never wear out. The misconceptions of each other. The one family's expectations. The plan put in place change a future. The firsts shared, obtained, claimed. I wanted to put it down for a day and start all over again.
You will find intelligent conversation/banter. A deep/profound passion and chemistry. Humor/fun. Most of all the sweet endearing innocents of Bebe and the charming, smart, swoon worthy presence of Cal.
Sutton has done a beautiful job with weaving together a story that gives the test and trial of a virginal 30 year old woman of Indian descent where arranged marriages are a tradition. She handle the aspect of the marriage we tact and gave respect to the tradition. I found fun moments, charming characters, sexy hunky men, swoon worthy interactions, and a woman that knew what she wanted and went after it to satisfy herself first. Thank you Jenna.
I need to get/beg/borrow this series and just start from the beginning and bring myself current. I enjoyed this completely. Delighted all the way to the tips of my toes.
**This ARC was provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

JensReadingObsession

More than 1 year ago

Cal and Bebe's relationship may have started as an arrangement for her to lose her virginity, but neither of them went into it thinking it was just about sex. It became about Bebe experience a long series of firsts, that would eventually be only's for both of them. They had a few things going against them - her secret fiancé, blackmail and the truth about their feelings for each other - but Bebe figured out a way to finally deal with her problems and Cal showed her how loveable she was. Sweet, funny, charming, sexy and romantic, this if my favorite of the series!
I received an ARC via NetGalley for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review, all conclusions are my own.

TheSassyBookster

More than 1 year ago

HANGING BY A THREAD is a really sensuous treat; charming, sweet, funny and passionate. I loved Coming Apart at the Seams, but Cal O’Brien has become my favorite male in this series.
There is nothing sexier than a confident, successful man who loves his family and is incredibly tender with the woman in his life. Oh, and can cook and Cal checks every one of those boxes. I'm not even going to lie, the steam factor was set to very high and the air sizzled when Cal and Bebe were in the same vicinity. While the story-line is a familiar one, Ms. Sutton takes it to another level with endearing characters, exciting dialogue and a strong sense of family that flows through the entire book.
Cal has had the hots for his younger sister's best friend from the first day he was introduced to her, but her perceived disapproval of him set the tone for their combative exchanges until Cal realizes that he's got what it takes to help Bebe get rid of her pesky virginity.
Ms. Sutton did an excellent job in her portrayal of Bebe and made her someone that people can relate with because while she is intellectually smarter than most people, she still struggles with issues that the everyday person does. My heart broke for the young woman who felt like an outsider within her own family and could never get the approval of her selfish, self-centered family no matter how hard she tried to please them.
I just loved the epilogue of this book and it was one more way Cal stole my heart. I always look forward to a new installment in this series because I know I won't be disappointed and I hope that we haven't see the last of the O'Brien family yet. All I can say is get this book. Even better, get the entire series!
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

MoonAngel23

More than 1 year ago

This latest addition to the Riley O'Brien & Co. series continues to give readers solid characters with depth and an interesting storyline that offers a touch of drama and a huge dose of steam.
I'm a huge fan of Cal. He's oh so very naughty, but he's also smart and thoughtful with a bit of sweet mixed in. Bebe, I loved that she was a highly intelligent woman and how exceedingly innocent she was...though at her age (30) it does start to stretch the believability of her innocence in this day and age. She does have issues with self confidence and standing up for herself, and puts too much stock in what her family thinks. As an independent woman of means, it bothered me that she kept herself stuck in the situation she was in for as long as she was.
Cal and Bebe together? It was like stepping into a fireworks factory with a blowtorch. Their chemistry was incredible and their intimate scenes will most likely require you to have a bucket of ice and a high-powered fan on hand.
As for Bebe's family and so-called fiance? I just have no words for her mother, and if I were around when the two of them met up for a chat? My mouth could not have stayed closed-which is what I was hoping would happen with Bebe (not going to tell you whether it did or not!). Same goes for the fiance.
Hanging By a Thread lets us see Bebe expand her horizons through the whole story and face down her personal demons at the very end. For me, the whole arranged marriage thing was not really a big draw, especially for a female lead who is 30 years old. But the development of Bebe and Cal's relationship and their encounters along the way made up for that, and resulted my my 4-star rating.
Recommended for contemporary romance fans 18+ for adult language and explicit sexual content.

beckyb0416

More than 1 year ago

What I enjoyed most about this book, was the intellectual banter and hilarity...wry humor and whip smart, witty banter. The author does a wonderful job of drawing you in with the differences in the dialogue that was unique to each character. There is such a sweet innocence to Bebe, a juxtaposition to her over the top intelligence. Never having found love within her family, she is finding it for the first time through Cal...who is introducing her to all her "firsts".
There are many different aspects of this story to enjoy, while you have the story of Cal and Bebe, also interwoven are the backstories of the other O'Briens. Ms Sutton has created a story timeline like I've never read before. Jumping ahead in time, but then filling you in shortly thereafter...this moved the story along at a quick pace and kept it interesting.
Though this is the first book I've read by this author, I plan on catching up with the first two books in the series...I truly enjoyed her unique style of writing and just how much depth and dimension she gives her characters.
This book was provided by Netgalley for my honest review.

Barb-TRC

More than 1 year ago

Hanging by a Thread by Jenna Sutton is the 3rd book in her Riley O’Brien & Co. series. The focus of this series centers on Riley O’Brien & Co denim empire, and the O’Brien family who run it. Wheras, the earlier books centered around the business, Hanging by a Thread is fully a sexy steamy romance throughout.
Cal O’Brien is our hero, and a known womanizer. Cal has always had his eye on the unattainable, his sister Teagan’s best friend, Bebe. But every time Cal and Bebe are in the same room together, they show how much they hate each other to all who see them. Neither of them know the truth how they truly feel about each other.
One day, Cal is eavesdropping and hears Bebe tell Teagan that she is still a virgin, and is looking to find the perfect man to help her lose her virginity. Cal, being the noble man he is…lol…visits Bebe later and offers himself to “ De-virginization her”. Bebe, who unknown to others, has an unwanted fiancée forced upon her by her parents. She is trying to get out of it, and being in the emotional state, she rethinks her refusal of Cal to be her first. Bebe thinks Cal hates her, but because of her own attraction to him, she finally accepts his proposal.
What follows is very very sexy romance between two people who think nothing will come of this relationship, other than the fun they may have. As their romance heats up, their love and dependence on each other grows. Cal doesn’t see himself ever settling down, especially to one woman. Bebe, desperately trying to get out of her arranged prenuptials, knows she is falling head of heels in love with Cal. Will Bebe find a way to get out of the marriage? Will Cal stand by Bebe?
I love this series, and all of the O’Brien’s and their spouses. I really liked Bebe, as she was a smart, savvy, tough business woman, who was also a loyal friend. In the beginning, I wasn’t crazy about Cal, though he was a gorgeous hunk, and loyal to his family. I felt he was a bit arrogant and crass early on when he approached Bebe, but in a short period that did change as he became more enamored by her. Their sex scenes were very steamy, and you couldn’t help but love them together. I did think that this 3rd book in the series was much more erotic, with some of the story slipping into the background. However that being said, their chemistry was off the wall, and it was a fun story line about two people we rooted hard for. The ending with the fiancée was good, and I must say the epilogue was terrific. This is the way epilogue should always be. If you like sexy fun romances, I suggest you start this series from the start and get to meet all the O’Briens.

Lashea677

More than 1 year ago

I could not give Hanging by a Thread a five star review. Although I ultimately warmed up to the characters and the story itself, the slow start made it touch and go for a while. The O'Brien siblings were a joy. Teagan comes across somewhat flighty, Quinn thrives on being the older sibling and Cal seemed to be a little lost. The affection that they displayed for each other is evident in every interaction between them. Hanging by a Thread is Cal's story and Bebe's story. Bebe has book smarts but is lacking in matters of the heart. An arranged engagement and a chilly relationship with her family has left her lonely and in doubt of herself as a woman. Teagan, her best friend and the O'Brien family have become a lifeline. Her surrogate family, but her feelings for Cal (Teagan's brother) are anything but familial. Cal and Bebe run hot and cold. When Bebe's unwanted fiancee starts making demands, she decides to take a chance. I received an ARC of Hanging by a Thread in exchange for an honest review. A slow start proved a large hurdle but a the O'Brien family proved to be the saving grace for this sassy, sexy and funny story.

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